Summary: Psychopharmocology

Read the summary and the most important questions on Psychopharmocology

• 1 Week 1

• 1.1 HC 1 Introduction

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• What does pharmacology study?

  - Influence of substances on biological processes
  - Influence on living beings

• What is pharmacodynamics and how does it differ from pharmacokinetics?

  Pharmacodynamics is concerned with the interaction between the substance and its receptor. It involves:
  
  - Receptor binding
  - Effect on the receptor
  - Different from pharmacokinetics which focuses on movement through the body

• Where are the many sites of action for neurotransmission?

  - Neurons
  - Action potential
  - Synapse
  - Transmitter
  - Synthesis
  - Release
  - Degradation
  - Receptor

• What is the later development path that often coincides with serendipity in research?

  - Development often progresses from coincidence to hypothesis-based research

• Where can targeted drug discovery research programs be found?

  - Research programs for targeted drug discovery can be found in the pharmaceutical industry and universities

• What are hypotheses based on in neuroscience research?

  1. Basic knowledge, e.g. about: (preclinical research)
  

  • How neurotransmitter levels are de- or increased
    
  • Which brain cells/regions are involved in a brain function
    
  • Which kinds of substances may affect a neurotransmitter
    
  • Which kinds of substances may affect a certain type of brain cell
    
  • What are potential beneficial and side effects of a substance
    

  
  2. Clinical knowledge, e.g. about: (clinical research)
  

  • Which brain functions are involved in a psychiatric disorder
    
  • Which brain cells/regions are involved in a psychiatric disorder
    
  • What is known about levels of neurotransmitters in a disorder
    
  • * Different subtypes of a disorder that may require different treatment
    

• What are some potential types of questions for a paper in hypothesis-based research related to a (clinical) phenomenon?

  - Which neurotransmitter (NT) may affect this function?
  - Which substances (medicines) may affect this NT?
  - What patient characteristics may influence the effectiveness of a certain approach?
  - Is the substance prone to side effects, toxicity, or addiction?
  - Do the beneficial effects outweigh the side effects?

• What aspect is important to consider in hypothesis-based research regarding what is not known and would be important to find out?

  - Identifying gaps in knowledge for further research
  - Formulating new research questions to address these gaps
  - Exploring a combination of known and unknown factors

• Under what conditions can a new substance be prescribed?

  - New compounds must be admitted by a regulatory board.
  - NL: CBG, College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen (www.cbg-meb.nl)
  - Europe: EMA
  - US: FDA
  - Registration for medications is based on research into
  • Efficacy
  • Administration routes
  • Safety

• Should the therapeutic index be a small or a large number?

  - Large number indicates a wider safety margin, with less risk of toxicity.
  - Small number indicates a narrow safety margin, with higher risk of toxicity.